I start my preceptorship in the ER this week so I'm asking for a little help. I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas on what to expect and what to look over because this is the first time I have been nervous since starting nursing school. Thanks for your time and help.
ERRNTraveler, RN 672 Posts Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma. Jan 15, 2008 Remember to do FOCUSED assessments- In nursing school you're taught to do a head-to-toe assessment. In the ER, you focus on the chief complaint. Example: If a patient complains of chest pain, you'll assess cardiac & respiratory, but you don't need to be checking pedal pulses. If they complain of leg pain, you'll assess peripheral pulses, but don't necessarily need to listen to lung sounds (unless they have respiratory issues). This will help you to assess your patients quickly and efficiently.Be sure to ask lots of questions- if you're not sure about something, ASK- never guess, and never assume anything.Things to plan on doing withing the next few months: get certified in ACLS, PALS, and TNCC
NICK-RN 25 Posts Specializes in ER/ICU/SUB-ACUTE. Jan 15, 2008 ERRNTraveler's advice is right on. Remember this, the ER is a very territorial setting. Don't get discouraged when you run into "difficult" personalities cause some of those nurses might be your drinking buddies in a few months. Also ask if you can have 1 shift where all you do is work on your skills (IV's, foleys, ngt's, etc).
